Shotgun-rifle holder

ABSTRACT

The holder, for shotguns, rifles, and the like, includes a waist belt, a shoulder strap positionable diagonally across the upper body and mounting an adjustable barrel or forestock clip, and a butt pocket. The butt pocket is suspended from two belt mounted loops which in turn mount the opposite ends of the shoulder strap whereby a counterbalancing effect is achieved.

[ Mar. 4, 1975 United States Patent [191 Roach FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS SHOTGUN-RIFLE HOLDER [76] Inventor:

Raymond Roach, PO. BOX 3/1909 Germany 224/3 North Bend, Oreg. 97459 May17, 1973 Primar E.\'aminerR0bert J. Spar [22] Filed:

Assistant E.\'aminer Ross Weaver Agent, or Firm-Clarence A OBrien;

1 m S b 0 w 2. 3 any we 0W "3 AH 4 7 l 6 3 Q N m. D. A

ABSTRACT [52] U.S. 224/1 R, 224/2 A [51] Int. Cl. F4lc 33/00 6W 10 m C g.m d m b a m mm a m 0. 8 m m U 8 mr e 3M t u o w d Cm, un 6 Mb m h MW TaMB 6 2 3 ,R A6 .C A W -4 M 2 64 4 "2 A)- h c r a e S f 0 M .m. F "U 5across the upper body and mounting an adjustable barrel 0r forestockclip, and a butt pocket. The butt pocket is suspended from two beltmounted loops S T N m n m m m T ks e D E H N U M U r e. d u v 6 n e a sf S m m m 8 2. mm m SC.] on w Pa 3 P o D r M t I t t nwm w mw H104 r 6mt e .m w CD. hm Wm AA ZMUB 2244 .27-2

Brown et a1.

cwm n1 n eM Gr-m nba AAB 900 3 0255 9999 llll. |...l 77.7 07-56 .2 9567534 7?- SHOTGUN-RIFLE HOLDER The present invention is generally relatedto a gun holder, and more particularly to a holder adapted specificallyfor the accommodation of substantially all types oflong weapons such asrifles and shotguns.

Among the objects of the invention are the provision of a holder whichfirmly retains the weapon diagonally across the upper body of the userin a position which leaves both the hands and arms completely free withthe hunter having complete freedom of movement for sitting, walking,moving through brush or marsh land, rowing a boat, etc. At the sametime, the weapon is positioned for instantaneous withdrawal and use, thehunters right shoulder remaining unencumbered by the holder so as toreceive the butt of the weapon in the conventional firing 'position.

Other advantages of the invention reside in the provision of a holderwhich will remain properly seated on the body without shifting ordisorientating either the holder or the weapon, this being achievedthrough a unique counterbalancing arrangement of the componentsandwithout necessitating the use of a variety of hold-down straps or thelike.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the holder mounted on a hunter and having aweapon positioned therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on aplane passing along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on aplane passing along line 4--4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passingalong line 55 in FIG. 2.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral isused to generally designate the holder comprising the invention. Theholder 10 includes a waist belt 12 which, in the manner of aconventional belt, encircles the waist of the user or hunter 14 andincorporates appropriate adjustable buckle or catch means 16 for anaccommodation of the belt 12 to the waist of the user 14.

g The belt 12 mounts a forward loop 18 and a rear loop 20 adapted forpositioning approximately over the front and rear portions respectivelyof the right hip 22 of the user 14.

An elongated molded butt pocket 24, including integral molded eyes 26 atthe opposite ends thereof is suspended from the two belt loops l8 and 20by elongated link chains 28 or like tension accommodating flexiblemembers. As will be noted from the drawings, they engage the molded eyes26 on the butt pocket 24 and appropriate grommeted eyes 30 on portionsof the loops 18 and 20 depending below the belt 12.

An elongated shoulder strap 32, also adjustable as at 34 so as toaccommodate itself to different users, has a forward end engaged withthe front loop as at 36 and a rear end pivotally secured to a grommetedeye 38 on the rear loop 20 above the belt 12. A molded forestock orbarrel accommodating block 40 is positioned on the forward portion ofthe shoulder strap 32 and so orientated as to overlie the upperleft-hand chest of the user 14 generally as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thisblock 40 has integral outwardly projecting end pieces 42, eachincorporating a pair of slots so that the strap 32 can be fedtherethrough and behind the block 40itself thereby effecting a mountingof the block 40 on the strap 32 in a positive manner while stillallowing for an adjustment of the block 40 as required upon a specificmanual loosening of the strap through the slots of the projecting ends42. This mounting of the block 40 on the strap 32 is best illustrated inthe detail of FIG. 3.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, as well as FIG. 2, it will be notedthat the block 40 includes an upper forward surface 44 which is sharplyinclined forwardly and downwardly to a peak portion 46 approximately onethird the distance down the generally vertically ori' entated block 40.Beyond the peak portion 46, the front face of the block tapers, at amore gradual slope, inwardly and downwardly as indicated at referencenumeral 48. In addition, the forward face of the block 40, including thesurfaces 44 and 48, as well as the peak portion 46, are slightlytransversely inclined inwardly toward the body upwardly toward the rightshoulder of the wearer 14. Thus, when engaged thereagainst, it will beappreciated that the weapon will seat snugly against substantially theentire surface 48 of the block and be slightly laterally tipped for bothconvenient snug carrying against the body and easy access for withdrawaland use.

The actual retention of the forestock or barrel of the weapon againstthe block 40 is effected by an adjustable rubber orplastic coated springclip 50. The clip 50 includes two integral legs 52 and. 54. The leg 52overlies and generally parallels the block face 48 in outwardly spacedrelation thereto, following the lateral in clination of this face orsurface 48. The second leg 54, bent at approximately right angles to theleg 52 lies against the lower side 56 of the block 40 and is adjustablyaffixed thereto by a pair of elongated bolts 58 extending throughadjusting slots 60 in the clip leg 54 and into internally threaded boreswithin the block 40. Through this manner of mounting, the clip 52 can belaterally adjusted relative to the block face 48 for the accommodationof forestocks or barrels of different widths. Incidentally, it will benoted that the leading free end 62 of the clip leg 52 is slightlyoutwardly curled so as to facilitate the introduction of the weaponthereto, the resilient or spring nature of the clip providing for apositive retention of the weapon against the block 40.

The engagement of the rear end of the shoulder strap 32 with the loop 20which in turn mounts the rear chain of the butt pocket 24 is a highlysignificant feature in that any tendency for the weight of the weapon,bearing on the forward portion of the: shoulder strap 32 to upwardlyshift or hike the belt 12 at the rear of the wearer 14 is overcome bythe counterbalancing effect of the butt of the weapon engaged within thebutt pocket 24 and acting on the rear portion of the belt through therear chain 28. In preventing a vertical shifting of the waist belt 12through this counterbalancing arrangement, the retention of the weaponagainst the body of the wearer is assured.

The belt 12 and strap 32, while preferably made of heavy duty cottonwebbing, can actually be formed of any appropriate material, such asplastic, leather, or the like. It should be appreciated that while,providing significant advantages in effecting a positive positioning ofa long barrel gun in a manner so as to allow complete freedom ofmovement to the wearer, the holder itself is of a relatively simpleconstruction including basically only two body encircling straps orbelts. In this manner, the holder is easily applied over raincoats,hunting jackets or in fact any other apparel, and at all times providesfor a positive non-shifting positioning of the weapon in the desiredmanner as illustrated in FIG. 1. Incidentally, while the holder has beendescribed for use by a right-handed hunter, it will be appreciated thata simple shifting of the components and the use of an oppositely formedblock 40 will adapt the holder for a left-handed shooter.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A weapon holder for rifles or the like comprising a belt positionableabout the waist of a wearer, a shoulder strap positionable diagonallyacross the upper body of a wearer between the waist area on one side ofthe body and over the opposite shoulder, said shoulder strap havingfront and rear ends engageable with said belt at front and rear spacedpoints on one side of the body of the wearer, a butt pocket suspendedfrom the belt generally below the belt engaged ends of the shoulsaidbutt pocket being affixed to the rear loop, said clip retaining meanscomprising a shaped block adjustably mounted on said strap, said blockhaving a forward der strap and freely telescopically receiving the buttof the weapon, and clip retaining means mounted on the shoulder strap inupwardly spaced relation to the front end thereof and supporting theweapon in diagonal position across the front of the wearer in accessibleposition for immediate withdrawal and use, said clip retaining meanshaving an entrance opening facing inwardly of the wearer to enableswinging movement of the barrel portion of the weapon when engaging theclip retaining means, said butt pocket being suspended from the belt byfront and rear means engageable with the belt immediately adjacent thepoints of engagement of the strap ends with the belt whereby the load ofa weapon received within the butt pocket and clip retaining meansprovides a counterbalancing effect on the belt, a front loop and a rearloop mounted on the belt, the front end of the strap and the front meanssuspending said butt pocket being affixed to the front loop, and therear end of the strap and the rear means suspending face, and a springclip on said block in spaced overlying relation to said forward face forthe retention of a weapon forestock or barrel therebetween, the forwardface of said block being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward theshoulder strap.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein the forward face of said block is alsotransversely inclined.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said clip parallels said forward face.

4. A holder for supporting a long barrel gun diagonally across the frontof the chest area of a wearer in order to position the gun with the buttend below the waist area and the muzzle end pointing upwardly above theshoulder for orientation in position for immediate withdrawal and useand in a position that the muzzle end of the gun will not be directedtoward other persons standing adjacent to the wearer, said holdercomprising a waist belt encircling the waist area of the wearer, ashoulder strap having front and rear ends attached to the belt on oneside of the front-to-rear center of the belt with the shoulder strapextending over the opposite shoulder, a gun butt receiving pocketsupported in suspended relation from the belt for supporting the gunbutt at a point below the waist of the wearer and to one side thereof,said butt pocket including flexible support means connected with thebelt at the same point as the front and rear ends of the shoulder strapfor distributing the forces along the length of the belt and exertingforces on the shoulder strap to support the butt of the gun, a spacerblock mounted on the front portion of the shoulder strap at a pointsubstantially above the belt and adjacent the shoulder region of thewearer, said block having substantial thickness and including aninclined outer surface engaging the forestock and barrel portion of agun for spacing the gun away from the chest area, a retaining clipmounted on said block in overlying spaced relation to the outer surfacethereon for retaining the forestock and barrel portion of the gun insupported position with the clip including an open entrance facing thecenter of the front of the chest area of the wearer whereby the muzzleend of the gun may be swung upwardly in a vertical plane while the buttremains in the butt pocket as the gun is moved between a supportedposition toward a position foruse.

1. A weapon holder for rifles or the like comprising a belt positionableabout the waist of a wearer, a shoulder strap positionable diagonallyacross the upper body of a wearer between the waist area on one side ofthe body and over the opposite shoulder, said shoulder strap havingfront and rear ends engageable with said belt at front and rear spacedpoints on one side of the body of the wearer, a butt pocket suspendedfrom the belt generally below the belt engaged ends of the shoulderstrap and freely telescopically receiving the butt of the weapon, andclip retaining means mounted on the shoulder strap in upwardly spacedrelation to the front end thereof and supporting the weapon in diagonalposition across the front of the wearer in accessible position forimmediate withdrawal and use, said clip retaining means having anentrance opening facing inwardly of the wearer to enable swingingmovement of the barrel portion of the weapon when engaging the clipretaining means, said butt pocket being suspended from the belt by frontand rear means engageable with the belt immediately adjacent the pointsof engagement of the strap ends with the belt whereby the load of aweapon received within the butt pocket and clip retaining means providesa counterbalancing effect on the belt, a front loop and a rear loopmounted on the belt, the front end of the strap and the front meanssuspending said butt pocket being affixed to the front loop, and therear end of the strap and the rear means suspending said butt pocketbeing affixed to the rear loop, said clip retaining means comprising ashaped block adjustably mounted on said strap, said block having aforward face, and a spring clip on said block in spaced overlyingrelation to said forward face for the retention of a weapon forestock orbarrel therebetween, the forward face of said block being inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the shoulder strap.
 2. The holder ofclaim 1 wherein the forward face of said block is also transverselyinclined.
 3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said clip parallels saidforward face.
 4. A holder for supporting a long barrel gun diagonallyacross the front of the chest area of a wearer in order to position thegun with the butt end below the waist area and the muzzle end pointingupwardly above the shoulder for orientation in position for immediatewithdrawal and use and in a position that the muzzle end of the gun willnot be directed toward other persons standing adjacent to the wearer,said holder comprising a waist belt encircling the waist area of thewearer, a shoulder strap having front and rear ends attached to the belton one side of the front-to-rear center of the belt with the shoulderstrap extending over the opposite shoulder, a gun butt receiving pocketsupported in suspended relation from the belt for supporting the gunbutt at a point below the waist of the wearer and to one side thereof,said butt pocket including flexible support means connected with thebelt at the same point as the front and rear ends of the shoulder strapfoR distributing the forces along the length of the belt and exertingforces on the shoulder strap to support the butt of the gun, a spacerblock mounted on the front portion of the shoulder strap at a pointsubstantially above the belt and adjacent the shoulder region of thewearer, said block having substantial thickness and including aninclined outer surface engaging the forestock and barrel portion of agun for spacing the gun away from the chest area, a retaining clipmounted on said block in overlying spaced relation to the outer surfacethereon for retaining the forestock and barrel portion of the gun insupported position with the clip including an open entrance facing thecenter of the front of the chest area of the wearer whereby the muzzleend of the gun may be swung upwardly in a vertical plane while the buttremains in the butt pocket as the gun is moved between a supportedposition toward a position for use.